WALTON COUNTY - One of the most remarkable citizens of early Walton County was Elizabeth Hales. Elizabeth moved to Walton County on March 4, 1830, after buying 80 acres of land from her son in law, Willie Cooper. As a widow at the age of 52, Elizabeth settled in the Mountain District where she raised her 10 children over the next 20 years.

Elizabeth was born in Johnston County, N.C., in 1778 and was the daughter of Joseph Spincer [sic; should be Spicer]. Joseph had migrated from Virginia and settled in Johnston County, where he served the community as a constable. The name of Joseph's wife is unknown. Elizabeth married John Hales, son of James and Elizabeth Hales, on August 13, 1795 in Johnston County. About 1796, both the Hales and Spicer families moved to Oglethorpe County, Ga. Oglethorpe deed records document that John and Elizabeth first bought land in the county on January 14, 1797.

Other documented children of Joseph Spicer were Patrick, Biddy, Mary and James. Elizabeth's brother James had served as an officer during the Revolutionary War in the Fifth North Carolina regiment.

On November 11, 1808, John and Elizabeth moved to Clarke County, Ga., where John died in 1822. At this time Elizabeth had been pregnant with Mary Ann for seven months. Both John and Elizabeth were devoted Baptist and were members of the Trail Creek Baptist Church when they lived in Clarke County.

Sarah, the oldest daughter, married Apple White Wright of North Carolina on February 22, 1821, and moved to Walton County and settled near Elizabeth. Some of the children of Apple and Sarah were Erasemus, Harriet, Amanda and Socrates. Apple and his family were charter members of Mount Vernon Christian Church in Walton County and on occasion Apple acted as trustee for church business transactions.

It is likely that a reason why Obediah Hales, brother-in-law to Elizabeth, moved to Walton County was to help provide support to Elizabeth and her children.

Obediah died in the county on October 20, 1873. Matilda married Matthew Hales on November 20, 1828, and both died in Walton County. Some of their children were Mary, William, John, James, Hariot and Robert. Biddy married Willis Cooper on February 17, 1828, and, according to the book Wayfarers In Walton, Willie was elected captain of the 454 Mountain District on December 18, 1849. His opponent was Alexander Winbush, who had acquired three votes, while Cooper had attained 38 votes. Allen J. Hales married Nancy Wright, suspected sister of Apple, on October 19, 1828, in Walton County and lived there about 10 years before moving to Clarke County. Thomas married Ann Waters in Walton on October 11, 1837, and their known children were Sophronica, John, James and Sarah. Thomas was still living in the county after 1860. Henry moved to Greene County, Georgia, where he died in 1859. Jane Elizabeth married James H. Nowell, son of James Nowell of North Carolina, on January 12, 1840, in Walton County. Their children were James, Elizabeth Ann, Anison, Martha, Emiline, John and Sarah.

James and Jane were charter members of the Mount Vernon Christian Church, and on occasion James was appointed trustee to conduct church transactions. Joseph was living in Walton County in 1850 with his children Ann, James, Demetrus and Sophronia. Not much information has been obtained about James and William.

Mary Ann married Thomas J. Magaughey on July 12, 1864. Thomas was the son of Dr. Thomas J. Magaughey, who was a prominent physician in Walton County. Mary Ann died on May 14, 1885, in Walton County and is buried at the Mount Vernon Christian Church.

Elizabeth lived in Walton County longer than any other place in her lifetime and resided there up until just before she died. In 1850, Elizabeth and her daughter, Mary Ann Hales, moved with the John N. Patrick family to Jackson County, Ga. The following year Elizabeth sold the last of her property to her son, Thomas, and it is believed that Elizabeth died in Jackson County about 1853.

Elizabeth was a responsible family provider and lived a simple lifestyle. She worked the fields to put food on the table and probably sought extra work doing baking or spinning whenever possible to secure additional income. She was a wise business planner and usually bought from and sold her property to her children and sons-in-law. Her strong devotion and love for her children combined with support from other family and friends helped her to make ends meet during difficult times.

Elizabeth's spiritual faith was an important resource in which she often found strength and serenity. She lived to see many grandchildren and, in her later years was taken very good care of by hewr [sic] family. She had been essential in helping her children survive through a time of loss, grief and financial insecurity created by her husband's death.

At the close of her life, Elizabeth no doubt reviewed all her efforts with a deep sense of accomplishment andf [sic] fulfillment.

If there are any readers of The Walton Tribune who would like to know more about this family - or if anyone has any more information about them - feel free to write to: Lewis Hales, 141 Evans Road, Milner 30257.

Lewis Hales is a direct descendent of the Hales family, as Elizabeth was his great-great-great-grandmother.